Student protest briefly halts Northwestern's game vs. Iowa
Protesters stormed the field at Northwestern's Ryan Field on Saturday and brought the Wildcats' game with Iowa to a halt for roughly five minutes in the first half.
The protesters seemed to have multiple topics of protest when they walked out onto the field. One sign asked for the Northwestern police department to be abolished. Another referenced conflict in Palestine. Another said "Divest from death."
Protestors just rushed the field
Signs read “stop funding the war on Palestine” and “Abolish NUPD. Invest in Black Lives.” #Northwesternpic.twitter.com/XCbbKMRSiT— Jett Beachum (@JetthroTV) November 7, 2021
If the protesters were looking to get some TV time on the Big Ten Network, they missed out by facing the wrong way. The students who walked onto the field displayed their signs toward the end of the stadium that didn't have the cameras for the game broadcast.
Protest stops the Iowa-Northwestern game.
What are they protesting? No idea. They are facing the wrong way. pic.twitter.com/QYaheTV246— Cork Gaines (@CorkGaines) November 7, 2021
The press box at Ryan Field is also on the side of the stadium where the cameras are. So the protesters didn't even get the chance to have media members in attendance get a good look at their signs.
— Todd Brommelkamp (@ToddBrommelkamp) November 7, 2021
The field was cleared without incident and the game was able to resume after the nine or so protesters got their message across to those in attendance.
Iowa ended the first half with a 14-3 lead. Northwestern entered the game at 3-5 and needs to finish the season with three wins over its final four games to be eligible for a bowl game.